3 Easy Steps to Make this the Warmest Winter Yet!

Look, we at General Air of Greenville South Carolina get it: no one likes the winter. If someone says that their favorite season is either winter or summer, then they are either in grade school or a liar. Winters can be cold, harsh, a time for colds and bugs, and even worse – They’re expensive. Gas and electricity bills climb as you try to nest underneath blankets and crank the heat up to its max. Now, the obvious solution to this is to stop heating your house so much, which we have covered before. But this blog is instead directed at those of you who desperately want to heat your homes, but want to still reduce your energy bills. So here’s how to make this the warmest winter yet, without breaking the bank!

Step One: Alternate sources of heat

This tip is directed at those of you with wood stoves, fireplaces, or other forms of heat that are not your central unit. Although these systems may be for decoration in their current state, if they do not use gas or electricity, you might as well fire them up! Using these sources of heat can help supplement your electricity and gas bills, likely reducing them overall, and helping to make this the warmest winter yet. They also help reduce the stress on your furnace and central heating systems by warming the house likely much quicker. That can help reduce wear and tear on your units, allowing them to last longer and work more efficiently. Using wood burning will also increase the humidity in your home, which can be a struggle to maintain in the winter. And have some fun with it! Get some s’mores or hotdogs and gather ‘round your fire, and spend some time away from your electronics. I guarantee you’ll be happier for it.

Step Two: Check your Insulation

During the winter, the number one reason your electricity bills would be climbing quicker than usual is poor insulation. This can be in many places in your home, and some are easier to fix than others. If you house is older, and has settled, it is likely that the doors around your home are no longer a perfect seal. Luckily there are rubber stops available, which supplement the seal on your doors. These handy devices can be cut to size, fitting any gap in your door, and allows you to keep your home warmer longer. Another thing to check up on is to ensure all of your windows are locked, keeping the seal from the outside air stronger. It is also important to check up on the insulation in harder to reach areas, such as an attic, crawl space, and even basement. Going through these places and making sure insulation has not detached from the walls and ceiling and making sure that there are no gaps in the insulation, can save you hundreds, and keep this as your warmest winter.

Step Three: Understand and Utilize your Thermostat Better

Now, we know this is not an article for people who like their homes at 68. I understand that, you understand that, we all get that. But we here at General Air of Greenville want you to both understand, and utilize your thermostat better to make this the warmest winter, and also not break your bank. Specifically, we want you to understand the timing for your thermostat. For homes without a smart thermostat, it can be a little bit of a hassle, but one that is well worth the extra effort. When leaving your home it is best to turn down the heat dramatically, allowing the heating units to take a break and let the sun heat your home. Raising it to your desired temperature when you get home will save you money. All of this can be automated though with a smart thermostat, allowing you to come home to warm and comfortable house.

Another important aspect to heating your home is taking into account your different floors or heating units. If you home is split between multiple heating units, whether through elevation or just size, it is important to prioritize heating. If you are able to, heating areas of your home you frequent should take a higher priority than heating areas you do not. Similarly, heating your upstairs should take a lower priority than your downstairs. Why? The heat from your downstairs furnace will naturally rise, meaning that if your upstairs furnace is set to a high temperature, both systems will work harder. Whereas lowering an upstairs thermostat can save you money and energy.

While these systems will help you warm your house, it is also important to regularly check up and maintain your heating units. Calling a General Air of Greenville South Carolina expert in to inspect, update, and repair your units can save you money in the long run. While there, our General Air experts can inspect your insulation, and other potential heating leaks throughout your home and recommend solutions. Make this the warmest winter yet, with these helpful hints, and don’t forget to get in contact with General Air for all your heating and cooling needs.